October 3, 2009
Personal Dominions
The first of a series of interviews with interesting people in my world, who have stories to tell about their lives, how design influences them and how their homes contain them, even sometimes while they are not there.
Rachel Demy – Tour manager, lover of knitting, pretty+smart girl, and great companion for watching movies.
- favorite room of your home?
THE KITCHEN. IT IS A MAGNET FOR ALL THE HAPPIEST AND SADDEST MOMENTS AND CONVERSATIONS.
- what does the light look like there?
CRISP AND CLEAN. THE EAST-FACING WINDOW MAKES YOU FEEL REBORN EVERY MORNING.
- favorite room outside of your home?
THE DECK ON THE SIDE OF OUR HOME. THE BAMBOO LENDS A TANGIBLE FEELING OF PEACE.
- what is always in your fridge?
ORGANIC HALF AND HALF. SOMETIMES IT’S THE ONLY THING…
- greenest (sustainable thing ) that you do?
I SUPPOSE RECYCLING. SINCE I LIVE MOST OF MY LIFE ON THE ROAD, AND TOURING IS NOT A VERY GREEN INDUSTRY, IT’S DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN DEVOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES. AS SMALL AS IT SOUNDS, BRINGING MY OWN WATER BOTTLE ON TOUR SPARES THE LOCAL LANDFILL OF HUNDREDS OF PLASTIC BOTTLES. AND IT SAVES THE VAN FROM NEEDING TO BE CONSTANTLY CLEANED OUT.
- late afternoon routine?
EARL GREY TEA. THE MORE BERGAMOT, THE BETTER.
- what is the most interesting thing about being on the road – and the most dreadful thing.
THE MOST INTERESTING THING IS THE SKEWED SENSE OF TIME AND SPACE ON THE ROAD – THE SHOW THE DAY BEFORE FEELS LIKE YEARS AGO; THE PEOPLE YOU MEET TODAY BECOME BEST FRIENDS INSTANTLY; AND THERE IS THIS FEELING OF “BEING IN THE TRENCHES” WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE, A SORT OF SPONTANEOUS FAMILY. ALL OF THIS AND THE ABILITY TO SEE NEW PLACES ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT TOURING. THEY’RE ALSO THE WORST. YOU LOSE TRACK OF DAYS, BIRTHDAYS, FRIENDS, AND YOU FEEL STRANGELY BEHOLDEN TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE YOU DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW VERY WELL AT ALL. THE LACK OF PRIVACY HAS YOU CONSTANTLY AROUND PEOPLE, BUT NOT PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU AND LOVE YOU THE WAY YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DO. IT’S A STRANGE LONELINESS. I ALSO THINK THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO JUSTIFY BAD BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD – DRINKING EVERY NIGHT, CHEATING ON PARTNERS, ETC. TOURING IS A SMALL UNIVERSE DETACHED FROM STANDARD EXPECTATIONS, ETHICS, AND MORALS. DONE RIGHT, THIS CAN BE AN EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE. BUT IT’S RARELY DONE RIGHT.
- latest inspiring person in your life
IT’S REALLY DIFFICULT TO PICK JUST ONE SO I’M GOING TO SAY ALL OF THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE. MY GIRLFRIENDS, MOTHER, AND SISTER ARE A CONSTANT TESTAMENT TO THE LOVE AND STRENGTH OF THE FEMININE SPIRIT. I FEEL SO INSPIRED BY MY THEIR RESILIENCY AND THEIR DESIRE TO BETTER THEMSELVES. IT KEEPS ME WANTING THE SAME FOR MYSELF – IT’S NOT EASY BEING IN A LAZY RUT AROUND THESE LADIES.
- what item do you always have with you?
MY BOYFRIEND AND I SHARE A STUFFED LION, APTLY NAMED, LYON. HE TRAVELS WITH US EVERYWHERE AND IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC INSPIRATION.
- where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
STILL WORKING FOR MYSELF AND ON MYSELF – I DON’T THINK I’D LIKE TO BE A TOUR MANAGER 5 YEARS FROM NOW BECAUSE OF THE UNTOLD PHYSICAL REPERCUSSIONS. BUT I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN WORKING WITH MUSICIANS ON MY OWN TERMS, NO ONE ELSE’S. OH, AND PROBABLY MARRIED OR SOMETHING.
- latest obsession that you think about all of the time….
POSITIVE OBSESSION: KNITTING AND CREATING PATTERNS.
NEGATIVE OBSESSION: MY DEBT.
September 14, 2009
Why can’t America have stamps like these?
August 28, 2009
New press from Portland Picks for jewelry by Lydia Yost
Follow her on twitter – littlefeathers.
Also mentioned on Chicago Picks 9/4/2009!
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | What the Kids Are Wearing
We’re ready to channel Stevie Nicks this fall, with all the boho looks we’re seeing. But we need that rocker edge so we don’t look like groupies at a Joan Baez show. What’s a fashionable girl to do? Check out these amazing earrings by Lydia Yost. Made with real feathers, and starting at just $25, they’ll send you back to school in style—or rock a board meeting like nobody’s biz! Available at Pop-Up Shoppe on NW 23rd, Pin-Me Apparel on N. Mississippi Ave., and Icon Tattoo on N. Russell St. |
||
August 16, 2009
Jewelry from found objects
Lydia Yost has been making jewelry – necklaces and earrings for awhile now, but there is something that becomes more magical about them as she adds new articles to each item and her line continues to grow. First begun with feathers from her very own chickens that she raised from babies, she is now dissecting owl pellets and tying in small bones to some, while adding precious minerals or old mahjongg tiles to others. Her necklace line is equally as mesmerizing, if you look closely you can see that the base is actually an old watch face that she has taken apart, then added back clear non toxic resin that actually holds small objects in layers as if they are floating. Some are filled with the gold watch gears and parts, but others contain small pieces of lettering or bones. There is a rich personal story in each lovingly made one of a kind piece.
Soon to be on Portland Picks, and sold through Pin Me Apparel 3705 N. Mississippi Portland, Oregon 97227, Pop Up Shoppe 919 NW 23rd Portland, Oregon 97210 and Icon Tattoo 813 N. Russell Portland, Oregon 97227.
Lydia is also available to make commissioned jewelry, one loyal customer who owns a beautiful chicken gave Lydia the feathers for a personal pair of earrings. They were delivered just yesterday and she loves them!
Her prices range from $25-$200 and she may be contacted at gemstonematrix76@comcast.net
July 7, 2009
Edelkoort and Bloom
There is almost too much to say, in a world where there is never quite enough to say, about someone and a magazine. A recommendation came to purchase Bloom by a dear friend and fellow creative years ago, however, I was discouraged by the cost. Receiving my first issue as a gift this year was very nice indeed. Forever inspired by flowers, trees and the natural world around me, I was pleased to find it all in one publication, specifically bent towards how these are interwoven in fabric, art, colors and surfaces. Perceiving trends before they are known and translating that to institutions, designers and branding leaders are just one facet of Li Edelkoorts broad range.
June 20, 2009
Outdoor lighting
Your Modern Outdoor Retreat
It is a common misconception that modern decorating should be confined to a home’s interior, especially when it comes to lighting. Truly, there are countless modern lighting projects that will increase the curbside appeal of your home for optimal outdoor nighttime enjoyment. Modern outdoor lighting is sure to impress partygoers during that perfect summer outdoor patio gathering, or it can provide an intimate retreat for personal relaxation after those long days at the office. Whether you are after a sophisticated or casual outdoor setting, modern lighting is the perfect way to add ambiance to your deck, patio or home façade.
Hanging Lanterns for your Hang out Spot
You can start off the project of improving your yard’s outdoor décor by adding some chic, overhead lights. These lights will highlight your landscape and create a setting that is conducive to outdoor celebrations. Most likely, you will be using your outdoor space in the summertime, so why not bring out the colors of summer with some bright, multicolored overhanging pendant lights? Luceplan is a modern lighting design company that specializes in creating these outdoor pendant lights; their pod lens suspension lights work really well outdoors, especially when they are hung from backyard trees bringing modern vibes out of your landscape. Now, pendant lights are not the only type of overhead lights that you can purchase. Hanging lanterns are also great for setting the right tone to your outdoor décor. The great thing about lanterns is that designs are etched on the outside of the metal coverings; because of this, there are a number of modern and futuristic outlines to choose from.
Green is Chic
Without a doubt, a new trend in modern décor is eco-friendly sustainability in terms of design. “Modern” and “eco-friendly” have just about become synonymous as companies are becoming more and more dedicated to environmental preservation. There are a number of eco-friendly outdoor lighting options that you can choose from without having to sacrifice style. Many of the modern-designed outdoor wall sconces are beautiful in appearance and feature finishes that are distinctly futuristic with stainless steel, brushed nickel, brass and chrome finishes. Not only that but most outdoor wall sconces are also dark sky compliant, which means that they help reduce glare and light pollution. Another wonderful outdoor lighting solution is the addition of a few solar walkway or garden lights. These solar reflector lights serve an aesthetic purpose, as well as an eco-friendly solution to curbside lighting. Enjoying your garden at night will become a new pastime after you add some beautiful solar lights to highlight the hard work you put into the garden during the day. You can even take it a step further by adding some chrome torches to light up your garden landscape.
All in all, outdoor lighting is a great way to enjoy your landscape or patio even at night. There are a number of exterior lighting additions that you can make that will be consistent with your contemporary designed household. In reality, the party doesn’t have to end during the day, just be sure to use mosquito repellent for total enjoyment!
June 20, 2009
Restoring older windows
Many of my clients have asked recently about the techniques of restoring older windows, this article from Old House Journal explains the process well.
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/how_to_restore_sash_windows/magazine/1600
